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In a statement this evening Mr Shatter said he had raised the issue as a matter of public importance so that people could assess Mr Wallace's credibility.

"By making a pretence... that gardaí should not use their discretionary powers in ease of a member of the general public whilst concealing the fact that Garda discretion had been exercised in relation to himself, Deputy Wallace was last night effectively asserting that discretionary consideration afforded to him by An Garda Síochána should not be extended to others,” the statement said.